Apparatus for measurement of absorption and displacement

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the absorption and displacement of a fluid by a material. The apparatus comprises a container having graduated marks for measuring the volume, and change in volume, of a fluid (such as, but not limited to, a liquid) and a section for holding the material to be evaluated.

1. A method for measuring the absorption and displacement of a fluid by a material, said method comprising:
 providing a vessel comprising a material holding section and a constant-diameter elongated neck section having a plurality of graduated markings; 
 disposing the material within the material holding section; 
 adding the fluid to the material holding section; and 
 measuring the change in fluid level in relation to the graduated markings to measure the absorption and displacement of the fluid by the material. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising quantifying the absorption of the fluid. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluid comprises water. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising adding preliminary water to encapsulate the material. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising drying the elongated constant-diameter neck section. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising pouring the material into the vessel without plugging the elongated constant-diameter neck. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising pouring holdback water into the vessel to bring a water level into a calibrated portion of the elongated constant-diameter neck portion. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising agitating the vessel to remove trapped air. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 1  further comprising sealing the material holding section.